Despite Border Patrol fear, Charlotte’s Latino running club treks on for community
The only sounds echoing on Jay Street in Wesley Heights on a seemingly calm Wednesday night were coming from the patio and alleyway of Maiz Agua Sal, a Mexican restaurant.
There, over 200 people hugged, chatted and waited. Some were clad in neon string lights that blinked to an unknown beat. Others shimmered in reflective vest. All were dressed in running gear.
Folks were gathered for the weekly Wednesday meet-up of Latinos Run Charlotte, a local running group that’s been around for about six years.
But this meet-up was different. Mainly, because things weren’t calm outside their bubble of happiness and community.
Earlier in the day and week, U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, rolled into Charlotte. Masked agents detained people in front of churches, hardware stores, grocery stores and their homes.
Latinos expressed fear of profiling and violence. Many Latino businesses had closed. Churches and nonprofit groups canceled services.
So the run club, which is not only for Latinos but has a large Latino and Hispanic base, had a choice. Cancel or carry on.
“We decided we are too valuable to the community to just say we’re going to stop,” said Martín Flores, an ambassador for the club. “If you want to say this is a show of defiance, then call it that. We need to show to our community that we are here, that we’re strong, that we continue to represent them, even when they feel like they aren’t being represented.”
José Escobar, another ambassador leader, shared his disgust of ICE with a four-letter epithet. Then he added, “We can channel our bodies and legs into positive reinforcement here in the city, so people feel the community and know they are not alone.”
Latinos Run Charlotte
On the surface, Latinos Run Charlotte is a running club. It’s the local chapter of the national organization, Latinos Run.
The local club meets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Some folks run while others walk. They also participate in marathons and events.
But it’s so much more than that, Escobar and Flores said.
“When I joined, it was pretty clear to me this is more than just people getting together to run,” Escobar said. “This was community building in the truest sense of the words … I’ve met so many different people who come here, and they’re like, ‘I actually hate running, but I like doing this.’ ”
Flores continued, “We’re creating a safe space from the day. Regardless of whether I’ve got dishes piled up at home or I’ve had a rough day at work … You can come here, be yourself with like-minded individuals and forget the world’s troubles.”
And it'’ not just for Latinos, similar to the way other run clubs in Charlotte aren’t for specific races.
Flores got his running start with Black Men Run Charlotte, another local chapter of a national organization.
The group’s goal is to encourage movement and health. Flores noted that in the Latino community, running or other outdoor recreations such as hiking or camping aren’t always the activity of choice.
And sometimes, those outdoor spaces aren’t safe for people of color. In 2020, New York City bird watcher Christian Cooper was racially profiled while watching birds in Central Park. That same year, Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging in his Georgia neighborhood. A racially motivated hate crime.
Groups like Latinos Run Charlotte are here to promote the sport but also protect and provide community.
“We have a pocket here that’s just a great safe space for a lot of people,” Escobar said.
Border Patrol arrests in Charlotte
That safe space was needed more than ever this week in Charlotte, prior to Border Patrol leaving. Over 370 people were arrested in the Charlotte area as of Thursday, according to the federal government.
On Sunday, Border Patrol leading official Greg Bovino said many people who were arrested “had significant criminal and immigration history,” although it was not immediately possible to independently verify that assessment.
It’s unclear who was arrested or how they were sought out.
Willy Aceituno, a Honduran-born U.S. citizen, was stopped twice in the same South Boulevard parking lot on Saturday in a 10-minute span. Federal agents later shattered his truck window, pinned him to the ground, handcuffed him and took his keys.
He wasn’t arrested, but situations like his sparked concern among Latinos in Charlotte, whether or not they have documentation.
That concern is why Flores said Latinos Run didn’t want to pressure anyone to join Wednesday night.
“I’m running with my passport,” Flores said. “It’s shameful that in this country to do exercise, we have to run with our passports … We’re not criminals. We’re human beings.”
“Corremos juntos. Vencemos juntos.”
On Wednesday, Pitbull and old reggaeton hits blasted from the speakers at Maiz Agua Sal.
Dogs were barking and children were sitting in their strollers, observing all the colorful runnings shoes and short shorts.
Latino flags hung from runners’ shoulders like capes of resistance. Flores donned his Cuban flag. Many running groups came together, including those from Black Men Run Charlotte.
“The running community is so much more than putting one foot in front of the other. It’s about showing up when you’re needed,” said Brian Mister.
Jesús Delatorre added, “A lot of people here today are not necessarily members of Latinos Run Charlotte. But we are members of Charlotte and the community, and we’re here to show that love.”
Advocacy group Siembra NC handed out red cards and spoke about knowing your rights.
Flores and Escobar said Latinos Run will always be a place for connection for everyone. Fast runners, walkers or folks looking for gossip and “chisme.”
After a big group photo with Escobar holding a sign that read “Corremos juntos. Vencemos juntos,” or “We run together. We win together,” the bells chimed. Some runners activated their smartwatches, some waved from behind.
One person skipped by, Mexican flag floating in the wind.
“We’re not going anywhere,” Flores said. “We want to provide that continuity. We want to create that safe space for our members and for the community. We’re going to continue to do so as fervently and as strongly as we can.”
